Lesney Matchbox 14c Bedford Lomas ambulance

Moko Lesney Matchbox 14c Bedford Lomas ambulance

The Lesney model of the Bedford Lomas became the third ambulance to join the Matchbox 1-75 series in 1962, It's play value was enhanced when compared to the earlier models in that it had opening back doors with a full plastic interior and decals applied to the side panels, It was available with cream, white or off white body with a black baseplate that was attached by a tongue in the rear of the baseplate locating into a slot below the back doors and by a single round rivet up front, The doors were held in place by studs at the top and bottom of the doors locating into hollows in the floor and roof. It should be noted that the body colours can change over time as a result of bleaching through too much direct sunlight and sometimes because of gasses leeching from wood cabinets or plastic carrycases, This is especially noticable in the 'Bronner' carry cases made in the USA which can leave some models with a very sticky or tacky feel to the paint.

The first run was painted cream and it had a red cross decal applied to the roof but this was discontinued for the later white and later still off white issues, The roof had decal locating guides cast into the roof which remained in place and unused but were removed later. The side decals had "L.C.C Ambulance" in blue lettering below a red cross, (the LCC stood for London County Council) the final issue had this in black lettering. Early models had a cream plastic interior and later ones a white plastic interior. It featured an assortment of grey, silver and black plastic wheels which were always on dome head axles with rounded ends, Silver trim was applied in three different patterns, it first appeared in a large rectangle which reached right down to the bumper which looked quite messy and did not match the grille shape very well so the trim was reduced to cover just the grille and headlights which was much more attractive, The final issues also had the front bumper painted silver which caught the look of the real vehicle very well,

Apart from the previously mentioned roof decal locating lines there was only one other casting variation which can be found on the inside of the baseplate on the cab floor, There are two strengthening ridges one that ran front to rear and one that ran from left to right which cross over each other on the cab floor, Later issues had a round block cast on top of where the two ridges cross. The Lomas was available in box types 'C', 'D' and 'E'. It stayed in the range for six years until it was replaced by the 14d Iso Grifo in 1968, It was a very popular toy and is quite common but the early models with the red cross roof decal or with just the roof decal locating guides on the roof and also the grey and silver wheeled variations are rare and quite sought after.

Updated: 01-04-10, Mick Bruce has found another unlisted variation with the large rectangular silver trim to the grille, It has been added to the listing at number 17, Mick also points out a variation to the inside of the roof behind the front roofbox which until now has gone unnoticed, This variation has not been added to the listing until further research can be carried out but a photograph of the two versions has been added below.

above: the very hard to find grey plastic wheeled Lomas with roof cross outline,
this one is seldom seen. photo courtesy Gary (Mrmoko) from the forum.

above: three types of silver trim, left: large rectangle. center: grille & headlights. right: grille, headlights & bumper
Note that some later issues do not have trim to the headlights, It is assumed that this is because the holes in the
mask were blocked up with paint.

above: two interior colours, left: white. right: cream.

above left: smooth roof. right: with red cross decal locating guides

above: through the drivers window, left with round block. right: without block

above: Two examples of the rare cream coloured lomas with
black wheels and red cross on the roof along with
an earlier 14b Daimler, Photo courtesy Hardy Ristau

above: Mick Bruce has pointed out the two types of inner roof
casting which has gone unnoticed until now. Further research is
needed before attempting to add it to the listing table.
photo courtesy Mick Bruce

code number	general	wheel type	interior	roof casting	floor brace	silver trim
code 1	cream body, red X decal on roof, blue side decal	9.5 x 20 black plastic	cream	with X guides	no round block	large rectangle
code 2	white body, blue side decal	10 x 24 black plastic	cream	with X guides	no round block	unknown
code 3	white body, blue side decal	9.5 x 20 black plastic	cream	with X guides	no round block	grille & headlights
code 4	white body, blue side decal	9 x 20 silver plastic	cream	with X guides	no round block	large rectangle
code 5	white body, blue side decal	9 x 20 silver plastic	cream	with X guides	with round block	grille & headlights
code 6	white body, blue side decal	9 x 20 grey plastic	cream	with X guides	with round block	large rectangle
code 7	off white body, blue side decal	9 x 20 silver plastic	cream	with X guides	no round block	large rectangle
code 8	off white body, blue side decal	9 x 20 silver plastic	cream	with X guides	no round block	grille & headlights
code 9	off white body, blue side decal	9 x 20 silver plastic	cream	with X guides	with round block	unknown
code 10	off white body, blue side decal	9 x 20 silver plastic	cream	smooth	no round block	large rectangle
code 11	off white body, blue side decal	9 x 20 silver plastic	cream	smooth	no round block	grille & headlights
code 12	off white body, blue side decal	9 x 20 silver plastic	cream	smooth	with round block	unknown
code 13	off white body, blue side decal	9 x 20 grey plastic	cream	smooth	with round block	grille & headlights
code 14	off white body, blue side decal	9 x 20 grey plastic	white	smooth	with round block	grille & headlights
code 15	off white body, blue side decal	10 x 24 grey plastic	cream	smooth	with round block	grille & headlights
code 16	off white body, blue side decal	9.5 x 20 black plastic	cream	smooth	no round block	grille & headlights
code 17 NEW	off white body, blue side decal	9.5 x 20 black plastic	cream	smooth	with round block	large rectangle
code 18	off white body, blue side decal	9.5 x 20 black plastic	cream	smooth	with round block	grille & headlights
code 19	off white body, blue side decal	10 x 24 black plastic	cream	smooth	with round block	grille & headlights
code 20	off white body, blue side decal	10 x 24 black plastic	white	smooth	with round block	grille & headlights
code 21	off white body, blue side decal	11 x 45 black plastic	white	smooth	with round block	grille & headlights
code 22	off white body, blue side decal	11 x 45 black plastic	white	smooth	with round block	grille, headlights & bumper
code 23	off white body, black side decal	11 x 45 black plastic	white	smooth	with round block	grille, headlights & bumper

box types	notes
C	with dark grille
C	with light grille
D1	one black side one blue
D2	one black side one blue
D2	two blue sides
D2	light blue sides
E3	light blue sides
E4	light blue sides

values

black wheels, cross locating guides & red cross roof decal £600+

silver wheels, cross locating guides £250

grey wheels, cross locating guides £300+

grey wheels smooth roof £200

silver wheels, smooth roof £150

black wheels, smooth roof £30

values are for mint models in mint boxes

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